Narendra Deva University of Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj, Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh, 224229
1 Present address: GSM Division, Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute, Jhasni, Uttar Pradesh 284003
2 Department of Agronomy, Jhasni, Uttar Pradesh 284003
A field experiment was conducted during rainy (kharif) seasons of 1998 and 1999, to study the effect of intercrops havesting time and levels of nitrogen on productivity and economics of forage sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] under rainfed conditions. Sorghum + cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp.] intercropping system recorded significantly higher green forage yield, dry-matter yield, sorghum green forage yield equivalent, net income and net return Re invested than sorghum alone and sorghum + clusterbean [Cyamopsis tetragonoloba (L.) Taubert] intercropping system during both the years. Harvesting done at 75 days after sowing being statistically at par with harvesting at 60 days registered significantly higher green forage yield of sorghum and sorghum + legumes as compared to harvesting at 45 days during both the years. Net income and net returns/Re invested obtained with the harvesting at 60 days was statistically higher than harvesting at 45 days and 75 days. Application of 80 kg N/ha significantly increased the forage yield, net income and net return/Re invested compared with the control and 40 kg N/ha during both the years.
Forage sorghum, Cowpea, Clusterbean, Intercropping, Harvesting time, Nitrogen, Productivity, Economics
